COUNTY CENTRES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 139, 25 March 1935, Page 8

COUNTY CENTRES

(Prom Our Own Correspondents.) METHVEN. Harvest thanksgiving services were held at the Methodist Church, Methven, yesterday. The Rev. W. E. Moore conducted the services both morning and evening, and preached sermons appropriate to the occasion. The church was tastefully decorated, and there was a good display of fruit, vegetables and produce of the harvest fields. The services were well attended. The celebration will be continued tomorrow evening, when a concert party under Mr W. C. Bishop (Ashburton) will give a programme. Opportunity will also be taken to say farewell to Mr Moore, who has been appointed to the Geraldine charge, and to Mrs Bonnington and family, who are leaving the district to reside in Timaru.

ASHTON-WATERTON. There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Ashton-Water-ton Women's Institute, held in the Ashton School on Thursday afternoon. The president*(Miss M. Blee) presided. The secretary (\Uss V. Bell) read a report of the year's work, which had been very successful. The treasurer (Miss V. Bell) read the balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £8 lis 3d. One new member was elected. A vote of thanks 'was accorded the president and secretary for the work they had 1 done for the Institute during the year. Mrs Hayman (Willowby) gave an interesting demonstration on dress- , making, and was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Miss Blee. The competition |(papier mache), judged by Mrs Hayman, resulted: Miss E. Wotton 1, Miss V. Bell 2, Mrs Shimmins 3. The following officers were elected:—/President, Miss M. Blee; vice-presidents, Mesdames Pearson, sen., SmalL and Shimmins; secretary and treasurer, Miss V. Bell; assistant treasurer, Miss E. Soal. The next meeting wiTT be held in the Waterton Hall! on April 11. The hostesses were Misses V. Bell and M. Blee. The meeting closed with the National Anthem.

HINDS. The fortnightly, meeting of the Loyal Hinds Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held in the lodge-room on Saturday. The N.G. (Bro. M. Mclnnes) presided oyer a. fair attendance. A motion of sympathy with Bro. A. L. Moore was passed, members standing in silence. Sick pay amounting to £7 6s 8d was passed for payment in favour of four members. The blue degree was conferred on several members. One candidate was initiated. GREENSTREET At the conclusion of the Presbyterian service on Sunday, March 17, the Rev. A. A. O. Lion thanked Miss Lill (who has been acting as organist recently) for her help in the church. On Wednesday evening members of the district Bible Class and friends paid a surprise visit to the home of Mr and Mrs W. A. Lill, to entertain Miss Lill (who is to be married shortly) at a kitchen evening. The time was passed pleasantly by playing games, community singing, and competitions. On behalf of those present Archdeacon A. J. Petrie spoke of the esteem in which Miss Lill was held and wished her a long and happy married life. Mrs Russell presented Miss Lill with a crystal vase from the staff and scholars of the Sunday School. Mr P. Ford spoke on behalf of the Bible Class and also controlled the games. Mr Ronald Syme replied on behalf of Miss Lill.

WINCHMORE. The monthly meeting of the Winchmore branch of the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the hall and presided over by the vice-president (Mrs F. A. Scott) in the absence of the president (Mrs R. Jamison. Mrs Scott welcomed the members of the Greenstreet branch, who were guests for the afternoon. A game was won by Mrs W. With ell. Two demonstrations were given by Mrs A. C. Shaw (Ashburton) on making lampshades and stuffed animals. In spite of the shortage of flowers there was quite a large .entry for the best bowl of flowers, which was won by Mrs W. Anderson, with Mrs W. Boag second. A competition for the best stocking bag was won by Mrs H. M. Verrall, with Mrs W. Boag second. A duet was sung byMrs H. J. Constable and Miss M. Kelly, of Ashburton, who also conducted community singing. The hostesses were Mrs" H. C. Taylor, Mrs W. Anderson, Mrs H. M. Verrall, and Miss P. Verrall.